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Job One for New Acquisition Czar

3/30/2009

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Job One for New Acquisition Czar: Whoever gets the Pentagon's top acquisition post, declared Ashton Carter, President Obama's nominee for the position, told lawmakers at his confirmation hearing March 26, that "job one" will be to get [defense weapons programs] under control." He said, "Too many of these programs are failing their costs, schedule, and performance expectations." And, he added, "Some are failing even more fundamentally the test of whether they are needed for the future military challenges we are most likely to face." Carter refused to speak specifically about individual programs, including the next generation bomber when questioned by Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) (see above). However he acknowledged that the NGB "would certainly be in that portfolio of things" he would want as a "China hedge." (Carter advance questions)